While maths continues to be the most popular subject at A level, with almost 25% of pupils choosing to study it, there are almost three quarters of students with an A-C in GCSE maths at age 16 who decide not to continue studying the subject.

For example, we advise that for a degree that stipulates a minimum grade at GCSE level to study subjects such as accounting, psychology, business or social science, either Maths or Maths-Numeracy should count.

Studying maths for no more than 30 minutes also left James, who starts year eight next week, time to compete as a member of the athletics squad for Cardiff Archers and work towards grade five on piano and guitar.

According to Stanford University professor Vinod Menon, who co-authored a study on maths anxiety, the part of the brain agitated by maths is the same part "that responds to fearful situations, such as seeing a spider or snake".

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